A quotation attributed to Queen guitarist Brian May about cow’s milk is circulating again online. The statement is genuine, but it is not new: May made the comments during an August 2017 appearance on Jonesy’s Jukebox on Los Angeles radio station KLOS.
According to a transcript published on May’s official website, he said, “We’re not designed to drink the milk of a cow.” He went on to suggest almond milk as an alternative and connected his preference with environmental and animal-welfare concerns.
The context behind the quote
At the time of the interview, May described himself as vegetarian rather than vegan. He said he ate a great deal of vegan food but had not yet completed that transition. That context matters because some newer social posts present the quotation without a date or imply that it reflects a newly announced position.
May later took part in Veganuary in January 2020 and said he intended to remain vegan. His move followed years of animal-welfare campaigning, including work involving badgers, foxes and other wildlife through the Save Me Trust.
Cow’s milk and human digestion
May’s “not designed” wording expresses his personal view rather than a universal medical conclusion. People differ in their ability to digest lactose, the natural sugar in milk. The U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases explains that lactose intolerance occurs when the small intestine produces too little lactase to digest all the lactose a person consumes.
Some adults can drink milk without symptoms, while others limit dairy, choose lactose-free products or avoid it. Lactose intolerance is also different from a milk allergy. Anyone making a significant dietary change for health reasons should consider their own nutritional needs and seek qualified medical or dietetic advice when necessary.
Plant-based options are not nutritionally identical
Oat, soy, almond, pea and other plant-based beverages are now widely available, but they are not interchangeable from a nutritional standpoint. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises consumers to compare Nutrition Facts labels, paying attention to protein, calcium, vitamin D, potassium, saturated fat and added sugars.
The FDA notes that fortified soy beverages are the only plant-based alternatives currently included in the dairy group in federal dietary guidance because their overall nutrient profile is similar enough to cow’s milk. Other products may be fortified but can contain much less protein or different amounts of key nutrients.
An old comment with continuing relevance
The resurfaced quotation is therefore authentic, but its history should travel with it. May made the remarks in 2017 while discussing vegetarianism, vegan food, animal welfare and environmental concerns. He became vegan later, in 2020.
For people considering less dairy, the choice can reflect ethics, environmental concerns, digestion, taste or health. The responsible takeaway is not that one beverage suits everyone, but that consumers have more options and should compare them carefully.
